THE family of a beloved bobby who died suddenly have paid tribute to an “amazing” man.

Pc Jon Hobman, who was 46, had an unexplained brain haemorrhage while asleep at home in Almondbury on December 30.

Karen, his wife of 22 years, said: “I feel as though I’ve lost half of my life. He’s half of me.

“He was absolutely amazing – the best husband, the best son, the best dad and granddad, the best friend to everybody.

“We love him and we miss him.”

Jon had been a tree surgeon, builder and kitchen and bedroom fitter before he became a police officer 22 years ago.

“He told me recently he had always wanted to be in the police,” Karen said.

“He just wanted to help people, both in work and out of work.

“He loved the people he worked with and they loved him. We are just getting to know his work colleagues now and he was very highly regarded.

“It’s very comforting to know that people loved him so much.”

Jon’s mother, Evelyn, remembers her son’s first arrest, when he caught a burglar red-handed.

She said: “The thief was talking to himself and admitted everything. His boss told him it was a once in a lifetime thing.”

Jon’s police work ranged from checking on badger baiters in Kirkheaton to supporting the inquiries into the murders of Bradford police officer Sharon Beshenivsky in 2005 and Polish student Tobias Minski in Huddersfield in 2007.

Most recently he was with Huddersfield North Neighbourhood Policing Team, based at Birkby Library.

A qualified advanced driver, Jon had also been a former member of the Woodland Preservation Society, David Brown Motor Club and the Air Cadets.

As well as Karen and Evelyn, he leaves sister, Liz, children Steph, 27, Jenna, 22, and Thomas, 20, and grandson Arnie-Joe, six.

Karen said: “When he was at home he was just a family man. His work wasn’t something that he brought home with him.

“Even when things were serious, he could lighten the mood. He was a very funny man.”

Jenna said: “He had a way of putting his arms around you that made you feel like everything was going to be all right.”

Thomas summed up his dad in a message on his Facebook page, which said: “Bye dad, you massive legend.”

Jon’s funeral will be held at Huddersfield Crematorium in Fixby at 11.30am on Wednesday.

His former colleagues will carry his coffin into the crematorium and there will be an official police guard of honour.

Money will be collected for the Police Benevolent Fund and Kirkwood Hospice.

Chief Supt John Robins, divisional commander for Kirklees police, said: “We were all shocked and saddened to hear of Jon’s sudden passing.

“Jon was an officer who had served the people of Kirklees for his entire 22-year career.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time and we would like to offer them our deepest sympathies.”